We just wanted to remind you about our MaxSelect combo kit giveaway.  RIDGID was kind enough to offer up a “build-your-own” MaxSelect combo kit for giveaway to one of our loyal readers.  Sometime in March we’ll select a winner from all of you who post valid comments here on Toolmonger since the giveaway started.

So, when you post a comment here, you’re not only sharing your experience with other Toolmongers around the world, you’re also adding a chance to win!  That’s good all ’round, yeah?

And if you haven’t had a chance to check out RIDGID’s MaxSelect line, give it a look.  The idea is that if you’ve already got some 18V or 24V RIDGID tools — or you pick up their sweet XLi hammerdrill — you can then buy “tool only” items from the rest of the line to create your own custom combo kit.

After giving away 25 Fuego saws last month, we were a bit weary and took some time off in January.  But when RIDGID gave us a call and asked if our readers might like a set of their new MaxSelect cordless power tools, who were we to decline?

The cool thing about the MaxSelect series is that the tools work with RIDGID’s 18V and 24V batteries, so if you’ve already bought a kit that includes the batteries and chargers, you can “build your own combo kit” by purchasing the remaining tools sans-battery at reasonable prices.  Our winner will receive an XLi hammerdrill kit (pictured above) — with batteries and charger — as well as his or her choice of two other tools from the MaxSelect line: a caulk gun, a jig saw, a recip saw, and a circ saw.

To be eligible to win, all you need to do is post a valid comment here on Toolmonger between now and sometime in March when we shut the contest off and select a winner.  We’ll choose randomly from all the comments posted, so the more you comment the more chances you have to win.

A word of advice, though: Don’t be a troll.  Post like “yeah” or “I agree” or “cool” or (my personal favorite) “Yeah, I want to win the prize, Bender’s great!” won’t count if we draw ‘em, so be serious.  Also, valid comments can come from anywhere on the site – not just on this post.  Just so you know.

We’re looking forward to your words of wisdom.

Phillip wrote to let us know that RIDGID’s running a contest on their site offering one lucky winner a free SeeSnake — their new borescope — in exchange for their personal information and a short essay explaining how you’d use the ’snake.

The unit itself looks pretty sweet.  It features a waterproof camera head and cable.  The camera head is shaped like a gun with a 2.5″ color LCD on the back to show you what’s going on at the other end.  It runs on four AA batteries and comes with a 3′ flexible camera cable, complete with adjustable LED lighting.

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We’re sure you’re familiar with RIDGID’s power tools by now, but did you know they also make a few hand tools?  We were specifically impressed with their aluminum pipe wrenches — great for working on pipes over your head where it hurts to hold the wrench up.

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Billy writes: “I’ve had RIDGID’s 10-piece set for years, and it’s helped me get out more broken off bolt nighmares then I can count.  EZ-outs and other conventional bolt removers have twisted flutes.  When you turn them into the bolt, they expand the bolt and actually make it even harder to remove.  These straight-splined extractors from RIDGID cure that.  They also come with a lifetime warranty.  Believe me: It’s the best money you can spend for a fastener extraction kit.  No serious shop can be without this.”

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Phillip writes: “RIDGID’s plastic basin wrench is a life-saver during the installation of a kitchen faucet or sprayer.”

As you can imagine, this device fits around a pipe to grab difficult-to-turn-in-tight-places plastic mounting nuts on facuets and such.

I feel stupid.  I’ve fought with these before, and as much as I’ve talked to RIDGID over the last month, I still didn’t know about these.  At $20 street, I’ll damn well have one before I install my next faucet.

Plastic Nut Basin Wrench [RIDGID]
Street Pricing [Froogle]

Today we’re proud to annouce our “Day 25″ winner in the 25 Days of Fuego give away: Ryan.

Ryan’s project: “My next project is to build a fence on the side of my house and then a shed in the spring time. I already made some shelves with a borrowed old saw and some embarassingly bad cuts with a dull blade. It would be great if I had my own saw, with a new blade to get the job done. I’m sure my dad is eager to let his nearly 20 year old circular saw resume rusting on his shelves at home.”

Congrats, Ryan, This one should make a difference over the dull cranky old saw. Be sure and send us some pictures of the new fence and shed.

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]

Today we’re proud to annouce our “Day 24″ winner in the 25 Days of Fuego give away: Brian C.

Brian’s project: “As an avid volunteer of his time and abilities in the Mountain Search and Rescue team and as a trainer of knot & rope work for firemen and other rescuers, my father-in-law is a man with ability and skill, just not a handyman. However, he is a man very short on time and his small house, where he lives alone, has some much needed work that needs doing.

Since he volunteers so much of his time, I thought as a Christmas present that I could volunteer some of mine this winter. His house is built into the side of a hill and has a large wrap-around deck as well as a smaller deck off of a back bedroom. These are roughly 20+’ above ground. They have fallen into disrepair and are now dangerous. The railings are loose, the deck planks are rotting, the framing is falling apart. His front porch, although not as high off the ground, is in a similar state. I believe he is semi-fearless as he still walks on these decks!!! I want to rebuild his decks and his front porch for him. He deserves it and it’s needed.”

Congrats, Brian, good luck on the deck and Merry Christmas to you!

If you didn’t win – you have one more chance today by posting your winter project (that makes use of the Fuego) as a comment on this post for another chance to win.  (And remember, though you can only win once, you can post projects as often as you’d like.  So, if yours wasn’t selected, don’t be afraid to give us a new take on it — or maybe link in a picture!)

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]

Today we’re proud to annouce our “Day 23″ winner in the 25 Days of Fuego give away: Emily D.

Emily’s project: “I want to turn my ordinary flat dining room ceiling into a vaulted ceiling with skylights, and add a porch to the front of my house. Removing a section of celing joists will require additional support in the attic. The support should also help carry the weight of the new porch roof. The saw will be used to demo ceiling joists and roof sheathing.

It will make all of the abundant framing changes and probably even cut the decking and the panels in the porch as well. The porch will be screen enclosed with a wood burning stove and stainless chimney. The floor will be a trex type product for durability. The interior walls will be simple mdo, 1x stock and quarter round panels on the bottom and screen up top. Girls can also love tools.”

Congrats, Emily, it sounds like you have the plans well in hand. We’d love to see before and after pictures it has all the makings of a great project!

If you didn’t win — try again today by posting your winter project (that makes use of the Fuego) as a comment on this post for another chance to win.  (And remember, though you can only win once, you can post projects as often as you’d like.  So, if yours wasn’t selected, don’t be afraid to give us a new take on it — or maybe link in a picture!)

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]

P.S. If you didn’t win today you have one more chance to win with the Day 24 winner post!

Brad’s submitted tools in the past, and today he asked for your help.  He writes: “I’m considering buying the RIDGID EB4424 oscillating edge belt/spindle sander, and was wondering if you guys (or your readers) could offer any insight into this tool’s performance/capabilities.  Thanks!”

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Today we’re proud to annouce our “Day 22″ winner in the 25 Days of Fuego give away: Mark.

Mark’s project: “Between not wanting to scrape frost off my car in the dim Ohio morning light and our 3 year old’s collection of tools and toys … ok, and my tools/toys too, my garage shop is no longer functional. Thus, my next _big_ project will be a 13′ x 17′ addition to the garage. The plans have lots of natural lighting and a large overhang/”patio” for the BBQ and a picnic table. Above all, this space will be fully insulated and will be heated with an external wood-fired oven … a place to work and play, toasty warm, and makes good food too! The idea with the wood-fired oven is to build it into the back corner of the addition so that it heats the work space through conduction.”

Congrats, Mark, a shop that serves up some BBQ why didn’t we think of that?

If you didn’t win — try again today by posting your winter project (that makes use of the Fuego) as a comment on this post for another chance to win.  (And remember, though you can only win once, you can post projects as often as you’d like.  So, if yours wasn’t selected, don’t be afraid to give us a new take on it — or maybe link in a picture!)

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]

P.S. For another chance to win post your winter project on the day 23 winner.

Today we’re proud to annouce our “Day 21″ winner in the 25 Days of Fuego give away: BJ CLark.

BJ’s project: “I’m a college student (1 more semester left) and I just bought a house with my girlfriend. We are both Artists (potters) and I need to remodel the little detached garage on our property into our studio. It’s basically a shack of unevely spaced 2″x4″s on a cinder block foundation all held together with the biggest nails you’ve ever seen. To say the thing needs a little TLC is like calling Mt. Everest a hill.

(Un)Luckily for me, when I moved in my dad said “Here is a box of old tools you can use” which included a circa 1960’s Sears Craftsman circular saw. It still works (kind of) but just barely makes it through a 2″x4″ and sometimes needs to be backed out and let it spun back up to speed. Last weekend I spent ripping a shed off the back of the garage that was not suitable to even keep a lawnmower in anymore and covering the then exposed boards (it’s pre-plywood) with some plywood I had laying around. The saw barely made it through the 1/8″ plywood, and I’m not sure it will make it through much more.

If I had a decent saw, I could actually cut all the trim I need to finish the shop out and make some heavy duty shelves for our chemicals (we’re talking a couple tons of clay and chemicals). I’ve got most of the materials on hand already, I’m just a tad sort on tools (I can find materials around here for free, but it’s hard to find “leftover” tools).”

Congrats, BJ, thats the spirt, a whole house that needs TLC and you choose to start on the shop/studio. Thats the kind of thinking that will require tools, your Fuego is on the way!

If you didn’t win — try again today by posting your winter project (that makes use of the Fuego) as a comment on this post for another chance to win.  (And remember, though you can only win once, you can post projects as often as you’d like.  So, if yours wasn’t selected, don’t be afraid to give us a new take on it — or maybe link in a picture!)

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]

P.S. For another chance to win post your winter project on the day 22 winner.

Today we’re proud to annouce our “Day 20″ winner in the 25 Days of Fuego give away: Ed.

Ed’s project: “For a long time I’ve wanted to do some kind of project where I could get my son involved but I could never get him interested in building anything. My wife and I recently came up with the idea to build a miniature golf course in our backyard. Why not install fake grass since the real stuff won’t grow. Before you know it my son and I were drawing up a layout and plans for the holes and it’s coming together great. What we’re missing though are those structures that give the holes their charm. I’m talking about the tiny buildings, and bridges, and don’t forget the all important windmill. I mean, what kind of miniature golf course would it be without a windmill? So now our project is growing a bit beyond our original scope and I’m not sure a handsaw is going to survive the rest of the journey. Either way I’m sure we’ll still contintue to have a blast.”

Congrats, Ed, a windmill bearing golf course in the backyard, now that’s Toolmonger style! I remember my first miniature golf experience with fondness. A few words of advice stand back when the young’n is swinging and buy a few extra golf balls. I believe they’re still looking for the first one managed to connect with.

If you didn’t win — try again today by posting your winter project (that makes use of the Fuego) as a comment on this post for another chance to win.  (And remember, though you can only win once, you can post projects as often as you’d like.  So, if yours wasn’t selected, don’t be afraid to give us a new take on it — or maybe link in a picture!)

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]

P.S. For another chance to win post your winter project on the day 21 winner.

Today we’re proud to annouce our “Day 19″ winner in the 25 Days of Fuego give away: Jake.

Jake’s project: “Well, I had been posting projects that were fun, but now I’ve got one with importance:

We were hanging christmas lights and I was standing on the retaining wall beside the garage. Hmm, this wood looks questionable I thought: 

I grabbed it and sure enough it broke apart in my hands. So this has become my next project, replacing that sill before we get a lot more rain and water works its way down and into the garage wall. I’m sure the Feugo will aid in this and many other project at “this old house.”

Congrats, Jake, we hate those moments where you plan to do one project and all the sudden another one alters your plans. We have the before picture now, be sure to send the after as well!

If you didn’t win — try again today by posting your winter project (that makes use of the Fuego) as a comment on this post for another chance to win.  (And remember, though you can only win once, you can post projects as often as you’d like.  So, if yours wasn’t selected, don’t be afraid to give us a new take on it — or maybe link in a picture!)

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]

P.S. For another chance to win post your winter project on the day 20 winner.

Today we’re proud to annouce our “Day 18″ winner in the 25 Days of Fuego give away: Chris Slingluff.

Chris’ project: “In my shed/workshop my wife has an old oval kitchen table which she uses as a gardening table. The table however it is too deep (it’s difficult to reach the far side when potting stuff) and does not make good use of the space being oval. I am going to make a replacement gardening table for her this winter. The table will be a scaled down version of my work bench. I intend to have a little trap door in the top so that she can open it and sweep trash of soil back down in the bucket she can store below it. I will be cutting some shelves as she needs a place to store all her pots, soils, tools, etc. I will also be constructing some 4 wheel dollies so that she can keep her spare dirt in large pots beneath the table that she will be able to wheel where she needs.”

Congrats, Chris, a project idea that makes it a better home and garden plus gives you an excuse to be out in the shop, well done!

If you didn’t win — try again today by posting your winter project (that makes use of the Fuego) as a comment on this post for another chance to win.  (And remember, though you can only win once, you can post projects as often as you’d like.  So, if yours wasn’t selected, don’t be afraid to give us a new take on it — or maybe link in a picture!)

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]

P.S. For another chance to win post your winter project on the day 19 winner.

Today we’re proud to annouce our “Day 17″ winner in the 25 Days of Fuego give away: Shawn.

Shawn’s project: “We live in an 80 year old house that has an attic straight out of the movies - there’s a staircase (behind a door) up to it’s full unfinished glory. It’s about 10′ high in the center and slopes down on the sides and is fuly floored - perfect for a seasonal kids play area - it just needs a big old trunk filled with “dress-up clothes”. That and a closed off area for storage, which is where the Fuego would come in handy. I’m hoping to build a closed off storage area at one end of the attic so that all of the Christmas boxes, etc can be put in there and the rest of the attic can be used as a play room/area, as well as a reading nook in the dormer that’s up there. The Fuego would do the cutting of the 2-by and plywood nicely and save the running down to the shop in the basement to make cuts on my table saw. ”

Congrats, Shawn, turning the spooky hollywood attic into the envy of every kid on the block is a very cool idea.

If you didn’t win — try again today by posting your winter project (that makes use of the Fuego) as a comment on this post for another chance to win.  (And remember, though you can only win once, you can post projects as often as you’d like.  So, if yours wasn’t selected, don’t be afraid to give us a new take on it — or maybe link in a picture!)

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]

P.S. For another chance to win post your winter project on the day 18 winner.

Today we’re proud to annouce our “Day 16″ winner in the 25 Days of Fuego give away: Roger.

Roger’s project: “This last summer I enlisted my dad to help build myself an arcade cabinet. I don’t own any tools myself and he was happy to help and lend his tools for the job. The end result turned out great and we both learned a few things in the process. It was tough for him to give it up afterwards as he began having PacMan flashbacks. Now I’d like to give back to him for his help by building another arcade cabinet just for him. This would be my first real project like this on my own. This saw would definitely help make this project a reality. ”

Congrats, Roger, there is nothing more retro cool than the old full sized arcade cabinets! Our personal favorite is Galaga but Spy Hunter ranks up there as well.

If you didn’t win — try again today by posting your winter project (that makes use of the Fuego) as a comment on this post for another chance to win.  (And remember, though you can only win once, you can post projects as often as you’d like.  So, if yours wasn’t selected, don’t be afraid to give us a new take on it — or maybe link in a picture!)

Contest Details [Toolmonger/RIDGID]

P.S. For another chance to win post your winter project on the day 17 winner.